Where does the global wood industry go in the post-pandemic era? This is a topic that most professionals in the wood industry are very concerned about. Recently, the timber industry media conducted a remote interview with Mr. Mike Snow, the executive director of the American Hardwood Export Council, on the current situation and future development of the North American hardwood industry under the influence of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Mike Snow is concerned about the Chinese wood business. He expressed his views and opinions very frankly on the main hot issues.
About the impact of the coronavirus on exports to China
[Question]: The Covid-19 pandemic is spreading on a large scale. Will this affect the export of American hardwood to China? What measures does AHEC take in order to mitigate the adverse effects and promote exports to China?
[Mr. Mike Snow]: With its products and more than 1 million jobs, the American hardwood industry is very important to the American economy. Because of this, American hardwood producers are classified as "basic industries", allowing them to continue to operate at maximum capacity during the outbreak of Covid-19, as long as they ensure safe operation. Based on this, meeting the needs of buyers in China and other parts of the world is not a problem. Although China still has travel restrictions and may not be able to trade in China in person, American hardwood products can still be widely purchased and imported into China.